Page 61 of His Team

I wait until Cal is out of ear shot, then I turn to Dakota. The smile on her face tells me she already knows what I’m about to ask.

“Tell me more about this girl.”

“She’s gorgeous,” she coos. “And she’s Black. Nothing like your type. The total opposite. This is all him.”

I bite back my response. No one would know my type because I’ve never really dated anyone other than Kay. This Nicole might be more my type than Kota knows.

I frown at the thought. If things were different, I know I would want Maribel without question. However, neither of us have that option.

“Did you get the vibe from her that he could trust her? I don’t want him to get his hopes up only to have his feelings crushed.”

Kota bites her lip as she looks at me. This is an honest question. My brother’s happiness is important to me. I’m not going to let some girl hurt him because she can’t wrap her head around who he is.

“In all honesty, I have a good feeling about her. Give him a chance to figure this one out, Cam. I think it will be worth it.”

“I hope you’re right. One of us should get to be happy,” I mutter the last part to myself.

Caleb returns a few minutes later and we all go to leave. I text Kay to see what she’s up to before I head home to the apartment. I step out of the diner with Cal and Kota, my stomach full from devouring half of the menu.

I might knock out before I start on some reading later. Today is a light day. I only had practice, no classes. Caleb and Kota had the one class.

“Hey, you boys kill ’em out there this season,” a guy calls as we exit.

“We’ll do our best,” I say and give a salute.

“Wow, this is going to be our last season here. It feels bittersweet. I still remember freshman year. You guys must be so excited,” Kota gushes.

“I don’t know how I feel. There will be more change and I’m nervous enough about that, but I think I’m a little excited too,” Cal says.

I look to my brother and smile. I’m still curious about this girl he ran into and now has a crush on. Nicole. She must be something.

My mind goes to Amina. I’m still pissed at myself for that dumbass joke I made earlier. I was only teasing, but once I sent it and read it back, I realized it was a dick move.

I’m so fucking frustrated with myself. I would have been thinking clearer if I hadn’t been texting with Kay at the same time. She’s on one and I’m starting to look at things more closely.

Something has been off for a long time now. Kay won’t travel for one of my away games, but she’s always traveling somewhere. Which wouldn’t spark my attention if Kay actually had a damn job.

She doesn’t, so where the fuck is she always going? It’s never bugged me in the past because I’m always busy with school or baseball. However, something in her tone lately has caused me to home in on her behavior.

That and the fact that my mama keeps asking me when I’m going to buy her a ring and when I plan to propose. Like that’s a part of some list I need to check off for graduation.

“Where to now?” Dakota asks as Cal and I go to climb into my car.

“I want to get my paper done,” Cal answers as my phone pulls my attention.

It’s Kay replying to my text, asking if I can pick her up. I shoot her a quick text, letting her know I’m on the way. I look up from my phone to give my brother and cousin my attention.

“Kay wants me to pick her up first. You cool with that? If not, I’ll take you home then go get her,” I say.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll take the ride. I can arrange my notes on my laptop,” Cal replies.

I nod as he and Dakota climb into the back seat. Once we’re all settled into the car, I pull off and head to Kay’s house.

Kayleen

“I’ll see you later, mama,” I call out as I go to head out the door to wait for Cam to come pick me up.

“You going to see Cam?”

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